Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-06-04
MORE CORRUPTION.
Attempts Made to Bribe the Jurors in tho
Sharp CREe,

Sharp Gaze.
NEW YORK, June 3.-When the Court
of Oyer and Terminer opened this morn
ing for the trial Of Jake Sharp there were
only eleven Jurors in the box. District
Attorney MARITIME to-day CorroOOrated the
statement that attempts had been made
by somebody 10 bride the Jurors
in this case and that that
was the reason for eXcusing Mr.. McLemie
and Mr.. Caldwell. He alsO curroborated
the report of the attempt to corrupt Mr..
Rupfelder on the first panel. To a re-
porter, Peter Mitchell OF counsel for the
defense, said: "When l made this state
ment you may depend that have proof
of what l say. Emi5saries of the dis
| trict attorney have been at work in these
cases so SO to give the impression that
defendants have been attempting to tx
the jurors that they might lock them up.
The clerk of the court sitter proceed
ings were opened announced that wit
nesses present on the case would
be excused until Monday, which def
nitely determines that the actual trisl OF
the case will not begin before that time,
even though Jury be obtained before.
Alter 2 number of jurors had been ex-
cused Mr.. Parsons read this statement to
the court: "The attention Of counsel for
Sharp has been called 10 a report wniCl
appeared in the newspaper last evening
imputing to some one wish and efforts
to affect the jurors. We were
grateful to the court for its instruc-
lions to jurors on Friday last, that
if they supposed that any such approach
was made it would be brought
to the attention of the court. Any such
imputations are il furious to the Jurors
II assumes the possibility that improper
overtures could be addressed to them. IL
is injurious to Sharp's counsel. 1t as
sumeS they would countenauce such pro-
ceedings but it is most injurious to Mr..
Sharp. 1t tends to deprive him of that
fsir trial which is his right.
We have come here to try
his case according to modes pre-
sCribed by law. Any interference by out
side statements is contempt of court, and
is within its control. We don't object
to the utmost publicity of proceedings in
court. We can't, perhaps, prevent the
prejudicing Of the case by newspaper re-
porters, but specific statements of as
sumed facts go beyond the privilege Of
the press"
Mr. MARITIME said that as q public pros |
seCutor he must make some response. |
Counsel had read to the court |
his views. The difficulty is that the |
statements are founded on facts. |
Mr.. MARITIME then gave the details of the
attempt to influence Juror Smith who !
had occupied seat there in the box. The |
matter, Mr.. MARITIME said had been traced |
back to Mr.. Lynch who is great friend |
of Mr.. Sharp. The District Attorney in
al.
that all persons named by Mr.. MARITIME as
being parties to the attempt should ap-
pear in court Monday morning when the
charges will be investigated.
The remainder OF the day was occupied
in fruitless efforts to complete the jury.
Before adjOurning court Judge Barrett
made q short address to the counsel in
the case, in the course of which he called
their attention to the fact that 400 tales
men had been summoned, and that with
every fresh panel more and more persons
disqualified for jury service were found.
II have ordered the clerk to enter q fine
Of 500 against every talesman summon
ed who has not answered to his
lame," continued his honor, "and
intend to have each of these
men summoned to show cause why he
should not be punished for contempt of
court. l will examine the offenders in
he first 700 summoned Monday morning,
md those of the second zoe Tuesday
Ii they do not then respond l r
will see what virtue there is in an attach I
nent." The Judge then again warned '
he jury to avoid conversation with any
Vhosoever on the subject of the trial,
nd sternly desired them to Immediately
nform the court of any verbal or written
tempt to influence their verdict. Ad- I
burned till Monday.